The Press and the Presidency-- George Washington almost didn't go for a second term because of...

[TreasonousBastard]

the brutal press attacks. And it didn't get any easier since then.

Most Presidents were made of stronger stuff than Trump and didn't whine under the pressure, but none of them liked it. Think back to Hearst. Walter Winchell. Father Coughlan. Trump's got it easy.

https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/press-attacks/

At the time of his inauguration, George Washington was described in almost universally glorified terms by the national presses. However, by the end of the President's first term, hostile newspaper writers were attacking the administration's domestic and foreign policy. These attacks escalated in Washington's second term into personal attacks questioning his integrity, republican principles, and even military reputation. While the harsh attacks may have initially backfired on Washington's political opponents, the President's bad press signified the opening of a new type of political force, and one that had significant effects on the course of the Washington presidency.

[SCantiGOP]

1. and in the race after Washington's terms

The hatred between Jefferson and Adams, who not only had profound differences on political matters but personally despised each other, had incidents that would be outrageous even by today's standards. The Jefferson supporters tried to keep rumors afloat that Adams was actually a hermaphrodite and had not fathered his own children.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. My personal favorite is still Blaine's chant about Cleveland...

and his alleged bastard child:

"Ma, Ma, Where's my Pa, Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha"